TCA: Comedy Central serves up ‘Drunk History’

Cabler orders Funny or Die series; renews 'Workaholics'

Comedy Central is bellying up to the bar with an eight-episode order for “DrunkHistory,” based on the Funny or Die online shorts.

The pickup of the half-hour series, targeted for a summer bow, was unveiled as part of Comedy Central’s sesh Saturday at the Television Critics Assn. presstour in Pasadena. The cabler also announced a two-season pickup for its scriptedcomedy “Workaholics.”

“Drunk History,” from Gary Sanchez Prods., features historical reenactments as told by inebriated storytellers. The Web series created and toplined by Derek Waters, has drawn a number of notable thesps for guest shots, including Ryan Gosling, Don Cheadle, Jack Black, Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel and John C.Reilly.

“Will and I have always believed booze brings out truth,” McKay quipped. Added Comedy Central programming chief Kent Alterman: “History, like revenge, is a dish best served drunk.”

“Workaholics” got a big vote of confidence from Comedy Central brass by securing a fourth and fifth season order of 13 episodes apiece. The series about three friends who work and live together has been a hit for the cabler with its target demo of men 18-34.

Blake Anderson, Adam Devine, Anders Holm and Kyle Newacheck of the sketch comedy group Mail Order Comedy are the show, along with Dominc Russo and Connor Pritchard. Anderson, Devine and Holm topline the series, with Newacheck serving as helmer.